How far will Italy's team make it at the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia?

World Cup in New Zealand and Australia: The Azzurre in check

The Women's World Cup has been running in Australia and New Zealand since Thursday. Italy is also there. How good are team boss Milena Bertolini's Azzurre?

July 21, 2023

From: cst

The Italian national team prepared for the 2023 World Cup in Reischach. The Azzurre are not among the favorites. England and the USA are among the top candidates for the title. Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Canada are also highly rated. But how good are the Italians?

Italy went to the World Cup without Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina) and Eva Schatzer (Juventus). The two South Tyroleans were still there during the preparation in the Pustertal. In the end, goalkeeper Schroffenegger had to give way to her teammate Rachele Baldi. Schatzer, on the other hand, is still young (the Latzfonser is 18 years old) and will try to leave her first mark in Serie A next season. Other Italians are setting the tone at the World Cup.

Italy's coach Milena Bertolini. © ANSA / PETER POWELL / .

Above all, Barbara Bonansea, who has international stature. The Juventus winger was the first footballer from Italy to be selected for the women's world team (2020). Martina Piemonte also has international experience, having already played in Spain (at Sevilla FC and Real Betis). Curious: The Milan attacker was cast for the “Miss Italia” beauty pageant in 2015. One of the most famous Italians is 33-year-old Cristiana Girelli from Juventus. It is not yet clear who will go into the World Cup tournament as number 1 in goal. Team boss Bertolini has called for an open duel between Laura Giuliani (she was the previous goalkeeper) and Francesca Durante. By the way, the two play for their Milan city rivals Milan (Giuliani) and Inter (Durante).

What can Italy be expected to do?

Italy will face Argentina, Sweden and South Africa in the group stage. Things could get tricky here, as Sweden in particular is a strong team. Nevertheless, Italy should be able to survive the group and move into the round of 2019. If the Azzurre continue, it would be a surprise. Although Italy sensationally reached the quarter-finals at the last World Cup in Germany in XNUMX, this result is unlikely to be repeated this year.

On Monday (8 a.m. CEST) Italy will play their first World Cup game at Eden Park in Auckland. Then it's against Argentina and this duel could be decisive for a place in the round of XNUMX. By the way: The Azzurre won a friendly against co-hosts New Zealand shortly before the start of the tournament.